(or, my personal experience of the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear crisis in Japan)
First, here are two poems – both senryu- that I have created so far in response:
japan’s triple threat
samurai spirit outlasts
shake, wave, gamma rays
広がる輪
助け合いには
広がる和
hirogaru wa
tasukeai ni wa
hirogaru wa
widening circles
helping one another brings
widening peace
It’s not important that I ever receive anything in return for writing these poems, but instead I really hope these will bless somebody somewhere as soon as possible. . . that is why I share these poems here.
Before I discuss my personal experiences, I would like to list here again the three most important prayer requests for Japan. About a couple of weeks ago, there was a meeting about Revival in Japan in Osaka, and one of the speakers was Pastor Kenichi Nakagawa. I REALLY WISH some Western media reporters would interview him about his reaction to the current events in Japan, because he is surely one of the most respected Christian leaders in Japan, and for a long time led the long-running Japanese Christian TV series ‘Harvest Time.’
He gave these three prayer requests for Japan:
1) nuclear situation will be brought under control, the staff at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plant will have divine protection, and their family members be comforted [I also would like to add that there will be a strong eastern wind to send any radiation to the sea where it can dissipate]
2) all those suffering because of the earthquake and the tsunami may receive the food, comfort, shelter and whatever else that they need as quickly as possible, and
3) for healing of the emotional scars & psychological problems of everyone involved, especially children (short-term and long-term panic, PTSD, depression, etc.)
As we all continue to pray I hope that we can remember his brief but very meaningful description of the three most important prayer requests in this international crisis. Please consider fasting too.
Well . . . so . . . I have some friends who keep asking me to share what I felt and thought of the tragedy on the ground. Currently I am in the United States for my spring break, however I was in a southern suburb of Osaka, Japan teaching English when the earthquake happened on Friday March 11, at around 2:45 PM.
We did not feel anything at the time. Osaka is about 500 km south of Tokyo, and Tokyo is about 320 km away from Sendai, which is the major city closest to the epicenter of the recent quake in the Northeast corner of the country (called Tohoku). I think some of my friends in northern Osaka said they felt something. I think I was probably in the bathroom at the time, actually.
Anyways, during a break in one of the classes, one of the mothers of the elementary school kids I teach said to my boss (in Japanese of course but I’ll give you the rough English translation): “You know what? I just heard there was some sort of an earthquake in Tohoku on the radio on my way here. I have to get home to watch TV and find out more about it. I have some relatives there.”
My boss listened and nodded, with a little vague smile. I thought maybe the faraway expression on her face meant that she was not paying much attention and thinking of something else. At any rate, I did not think the earthquake was a serious matter at all. We did not hear anything further about it at work. It was a short day anyways… we just had to teach classes from 2 – 4PM, as our normal kindergarten classes in the morning had all been cancelled.
I went home and turned on the TV. Nearly every channel had the same scenes of devastation- shaking walls, crumbling buildings, waves of water, lines of brand new cars swirled around in whirlpools like toy cars being flushed down a toilet. I was shocked for a moment.
However, my brain was too tired to break down the walls of the Japanese language for me immediately. I can speak and understand Japanese, but at the same time my second language can be draining and I can’t use it well when I am tired. I did not see many scenes of people, and my weary mind did not jump to think that there could be human beings caught in the murky devastation of the roaring tsunami. After about five minutes, I turned the TV to the only station that offered something that seemed light and entertaining- a children’s dance contest.
After about seven minutes of this, a commercial break popped up. I grew restless again, and decided to look online for more information in English about the earthquake. I was shocked to discover that already some articles were saying this was the most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in its recorded history.
Now here let me be honest and admit that day before the earthquake hit I was at a personal low, perhaps even at my most selfish point. That week I was having a lot of difficulties, and I felt very unappreciated, much unloved, and even frustrated enough to want to quit and go home. Sometimes it is difficult to live overseas and face a perfect storm of challenges without being able to admit that although you are trying to care for others, you yourself could use some extra heart care.
So I think the most immediate effect the earthquake and tsunami had on my life was that it forced me to recognize again that there are a lot more important problems in the world than those that I deal with in my everyday life. A couple of friends on Facebook asked me if I was safe. With a sigh, I quickly wrote a reply without realizing that there were other people someplace else who might not be so safe, who might be missing.
Only when the NHK news report showed a long line of people waiting to use a public phone so they could tell their friends and family that they were OK did my tired mind finally begin to grasp some of the scope of this tragedy. God finally broke through the walls of my own apathy and indifference. I turned the TV off, turned away from my laptop, and began to pray.
Saturday, the next day, I had been thinking about joining an English haiku event in Kyoto. Instead, I decided to stay at home. I spent the day in a quiet way. I cleaned my apartment and prayed for everyone affected by the earthquake and tsunami. I was thinking of the words of my grandmother Momma Nell, who taught me that during thunderstorms we should not think about rushing about here and there. “When God is doing His work, it is time for us to be still.”
On Sunday, I ended up visiting Chiyoda Gospel Church, where my mentor Rev. Ryosaku Inoue delivered a sermon on thankfulness and gratefulness as a Christian. He spoke on Acts 16, where Paul and Silas were in prison when an earthquake gave them the opportunity to escape.
He mentioned that prayer for Jewish folk means expressing gratitude, while unfortunately we Christians tend to use prayer as an opportunity to give God our Christmas list. We take too much for granted- food, home, clothing, money, a job so much more- when all of these things are not guaranteed to us.
While I listened to him, I realized that I was so focused on my challenges that I was forgetting the blessings of my life in Japan. I really had to repent for all of my selfish thoughts.
Rev. Inoue went on to say that the earthquake completely changed everything. The prisoners who were of low status and who previously could not leave the prison suddenly now had the freedom to move as they wished and even to escape the jail. However, Paul chose not to escape.
Instead, he chose to stay to help the one who was now the weakest person- the jailer. The power over the prisoners that the jailer once held was now completely gone. The jailer also did not have freedom over his own movements- his job required him to stay in the prison, where he would be sentenced to death if any of the prisoners escaped.
And what made Paul decide to stay in prison? Because before he had an encounter with the living and true son of God- Jesus- on his way to Damascus, Paul had been in the same position. He had been the one who other people had given up on, somebody who may have seemed to have a high social position and everything the world could ask for on the outside, but who was still desperately in need of a deep and abiding purpose in life that no riches or status could ever give him.
After the service, I spoke to one of my students and her family and friends. At the church, I enjoyed a simple supper of kitsune udon together with the members there. Afterwards, Rev. Inoue, his wife Haluna, and I ended up hanging out with their friend Yukari from Tokyo. We went to the Kinogawa riverside and the sunny blue sky was painfully beautiful, enough to almost make us forget about the pathos that was constantly in the background of our thoughts.
As Yukari kicked a soccer ball with Yotaro, the Inoue’s two-year old son, I walked along the river, alone with my thoughts. I made a decision: to go back to that completely impossible situation in my life in Japan once again and quietly continue to do that seemingly unappreciated work for the good.
Daisuke Yokoyama, someone who is a far better Christian than I, said this before. However, it needs to be repeated: “Maybe… just maybe. . . this is how the world will now change for the better.”
A small step forward.
But this is enough.
Onward!
2 Chronicles 7: 14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Director of Fukushima Nuclear Plant
Missionary friend told me today that the director of the Fukushima nuclear reactor plant is a Christian- his name is Naoyoshi Satoh. This is no coincidence that one of the most important men who can potentially help save northern Japan from long term destruction is a follower of our Lord Jesus- especially when you remember that Christians are less than 2% of the population here. Good opportunity to pray for someone who carries the terrible burden of finding a solution for this crisis.
Also very good news~! 90 tons of aid is headed for Japan courtesy of Samaritan's Purse. You can read more details here: http://www.crashjapan.com/index.php?limitstart=5&lang=en
As for me... Tuesday (tommorrow) I am headed back home to Grand Rapids, Michigan until April 2 for a much needed rest during Spring Break here. I usually have insomnia, but since the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear crisis I really have not been sleeping well at all. I need to refresh and recharge myself! I'll be leading a prayer meeting for the Japan situation while I'm back home. Still thinking of what to say.
I feel there is great hope for Japan, personally! Many people for many years have been praying for revival. We humans cannot understand the reasons why a horrible tragedy like these three hammer blows have hit the same nation three times in a row... however I am certain that Revival is coming into Japan and the Japan that will stand up from the ashes from this one will be wiser, stronger, and more compassionate towards the needs of others.
My prayer for you who may read this blog is that God shall bring you ever closer to Him, my friend.
Also very good news~! 90 tons of aid is headed for Japan courtesy of Samaritan's Purse. You can read more details here: http://www.crashjapan.com/index.php?limitstart=5&lang=en
As for me... Tuesday (tommorrow) I am headed back home to Grand Rapids, Michigan until April 2 for a much needed rest during Spring Break here. I usually have insomnia, but since the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear crisis I really have not been sleeping well at all. I need to refresh and recharge myself! I'll be leading a prayer meeting for the Japan situation while I'm back home. Still thinking of what to say.
I feel there is great hope for Japan, personally! Many people for many years have been praying for revival. We humans cannot understand the reasons why a horrible tragedy like these three hammer blows have hit the same nation three times in a row... however I am certain that Revival is coming into Japan and the Japan that will stand up from the ashes from this one will be wiser, stronger, and more compassionate towards the needs of others.
My prayer for you who may read this blog is that God shall bring you ever closer to Him, my friend.
Church near Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant
Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church is located just 5 km (3 miles) from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Church members evacuated the area and were provided shelter by sister churches further away. Below is a report from Pastor Akira Sato who pastors the church (thanks to Leon Hill, Greg & Asa Swenson, and Kazuko Hayashi for this report):
Refugee Life Report by Rev. Akira Satoh
I give thanks for your prayers. On March 15th at one in the morning, my wife and I, having joined a truck which was full of relief supplies, stopped at a local store, taking anything we could get our hands on from the shelves, buying it all and filling our trunk and back seat area; with these supplies we headed north straight for Fukushima. Though on the way we saw sink holes in the road and houses that had partially collapsed we moved smoother than we expected, yet we also heard via the media about another explosion at the nuclear power plant and the leakage of radioactivity and added to that we heard reports of the enlarging of the evacuation area, prohibitions regarding entering the evacuation area and the like, so though perplexed we chose the inland road. It took 10 hours, but finally we arrived safely in Aizu at the refuge shelter (a church) at 11o’clock in the morning. Hallelujah!
About one-third of the 60 church members came from near the nuclear power plant, the radioactivity contamination testing not yet done they then joined us in the afternoon. At that time when we immediately started with a worship service, I began to hear their sobbing voices and I realized just how much each had passed through upon arriving here. In the evening we went to a nearby hot springs and shared the joy of bathing for the first time in five days. We were deeply touched by the kindness of the Aizu Church. One by one, trembling with emotion, I saw them call out and embracing each other saying “Your alive!” and the flow of tears started flowing again.
And all that to realize, they have just started Gypsy like wanderings, no longer having a home, and I ask these who left with just the clothes on their backs, “Do you need to launder anything?” and when they answered “We have NOTHING to wash.” I could not find the words to respond to them. When I asked, I found that some of them have had nothing to drink or eat for 3 days; others had spent those days numb with cold. This drifting lifestyle has just started with the pressing need to secure gasoline and a place to stay. This large family of 60 people trying to live together, and making matters worse this is a nationwide emergency in which it is hard to make decisions, so we have decided to head north preparing to establish ourselves, anticipating a protracted situation. Perhaps as a result of exhaustion, there are those who have received I.V. in the hospitals, from the old to the babes as God’s people after the exodus, we will be traveling in the “wilderness”. Will we ever be able to return to that town? Will it become ruins? Will we be able to return in 2 or 3 months? When will we again be able to open our front doors to the church and our homes? All seems to be a drift, in the midst of feeling our way we unite our strength guided by the pillar of fire and cloud, no other option but to wander.
The day before we left, the police gave a special “disaster relief” certification for our car so we were able to get a full tank of gas. Tomorrow the Yonezawa Church will pay a great sacrifice by receiving us in their building. We give thanks for their compassion and sympathy, and we can do nothing but kindly accept this means of survival. It is just like living out a scene in a drama, I never thought I would have this kind of experience in my lifetime. O Lord, may you protect this flock which is precious in your eye, which has begun to wander scattered about in various places like the “Remnant” like a people left behind.
Psalm 121
1I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Refugee Life Report by Rev. Akira Satoh
I give thanks for your prayers. On March 15th at one in the morning, my wife and I, having joined a truck which was full of relief supplies, stopped at a local store, taking anything we could get our hands on from the shelves, buying it all and filling our trunk and back seat area; with these supplies we headed north straight for Fukushima. Though on the way we saw sink holes in the road and houses that had partially collapsed we moved smoother than we expected, yet we also heard via the media about another explosion at the nuclear power plant and the leakage of radioactivity and added to that we heard reports of the enlarging of the evacuation area, prohibitions regarding entering the evacuation area and the like, so though perplexed we chose the inland road. It took 10 hours, but finally we arrived safely in Aizu at the refuge shelter (a church) at 11o’clock in the morning. Hallelujah!
About one-third of the 60 church members came from near the nuclear power plant, the radioactivity contamination testing not yet done they then joined us in the afternoon. At that time when we immediately started with a worship service, I began to hear their sobbing voices and I realized just how much each had passed through upon arriving here. In the evening we went to a nearby hot springs and shared the joy of bathing for the first time in five days. We were deeply touched by the kindness of the Aizu Church. One by one, trembling with emotion, I saw them call out and embracing each other saying “Your alive!” and the flow of tears started flowing again.
And all that to realize, they have just started Gypsy like wanderings, no longer having a home, and I ask these who left with just the clothes on their backs, “Do you need to launder anything?” and when they answered “We have NOTHING to wash.” I could not find the words to respond to them. When I asked, I found that some of them have had nothing to drink or eat for 3 days; others had spent those days numb with cold. This drifting lifestyle has just started with the pressing need to secure gasoline and a place to stay. This large family of 60 people trying to live together, and making matters worse this is a nationwide emergency in which it is hard to make decisions, so we have decided to head north preparing to establish ourselves, anticipating a protracted situation. Perhaps as a result of exhaustion, there are those who have received I.V. in the hospitals, from the old to the babes as God’s people after the exodus, we will be traveling in the “wilderness”. Will we ever be able to return to that town? Will it become ruins? Will we be able to return in 2 or 3 months? When will we again be able to open our front doors to the church and our homes? All seems to be a drift, in the midst of feeling our way we unite our strength guided by the pillar of fire and cloud, no other option but to wander.
The day before we left, the police gave a special “disaster relief” certification for our car so we were able to get a full tank of gas. Tomorrow the Yonezawa Church will pay a great sacrifice by receiving us in their building. We give thanks for their compassion and sympathy, and we can do nothing but kindly accept this means of survival. It is just like living out a scene in a drama, I never thought I would have this kind of experience in my lifetime. O Lord, may you protect this flock which is precious in your eye, which has begun to wander scattered about in various places like the “Remnant” like a people left behind.
Psalm 121
1I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Shining Light in Dark Clouds Above for JAPAN
Last night, I came home around midnight but full of wild uncontrollable joy. Missionaries and all of the on fire Christian people dedicated to REVIVAL in Japan had a big meeting here in Osaka. Pastor Kenichi Nakagawa, who is probably the most revered Christian leader in the nation here, told us that there has NEVER BEEN A TIME BEFORE IN HISTORY WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE WORLDWIDE PRAYED FOR JAPAN. Breakthrough in the dark clouds above!
Nakagawa-sensei led us in group prayer, 1) for calming of the nuclear situation 2) for those suffering from earthquake and tsunami to receive help and 3) the heart problems of all, especially kids (such as panic, shell shock, and depression). Then for one minute we had individual prayer. That was the most intense one minute of my life so far. I truly felt like the Holy Spirit was stirring in the room so strongly that my chest was dangit how do we say it in English? Well...it was like when you see the firewords and there is a big explosion and the sound waves move through your body and then your blood starts moving and then your heart too is affected and then it beats differently. Like that. ドーンときました。
Wow, so many people tell me that now hee hee. It was even kind of ironic/weird/funny how I ended up going to the meeting. Rev. Inoue invited me at first, made it sound really important and for some reason I said, nah I'm not go...ing. Then a missionary friend Kazuko (fellow Wycliffe flunkie ♥ ) said, "Eh, I'm going to this meeting or something Friday for Japanese missionaries and revival stuff..." and then I really really wanted to go.
I had work and arrived late, however just in time to hear the climax of the presentation (not the main speaker from Israel actually, it was Nakagawa-sensei's fairly brief conclusion comments) and most important final 30 minutes. That actually is a perfect mirror to how I ended up in Japan this time, isn't it? Rev. Inoue invited me to come to Japan as a missionary and teach at SG. But I said, nah, I'm not going. Then God changed my plans. So here I am. And I arrived one month before Japan faced some of the most challenging times in the recorded history of the nation... indeed the climax of Japan's unfolding story...
Nakagawa-sensei led us in group prayer, 1) for calming of the nuclear situation 2) for those suffering from earthquake and tsunami to receive help and 3) the heart problems of all, especially kids (such as panic, shell shock, and depression). Then for one minute we had individual prayer. That was the most intense one minute of my life so far. I truly felt like the Holy Spirit was stirring in the room so strongly that my chest was dangit how do we say it in English? Well...it was like when you see the firewords and there is a big explosion and the sound waves move through your body and then your blood starts moving and then your heart too is affected and then it beats differently. Like that. ドーンときました。
Wow, so many people tell me that now hee hee. It was even kind of ironic/weird/funny how I ended up going to the meeting. Rev. Inoue invited me at first, made it sound really important and for some reason I said, nah I'm not go...ing. Then a missionary friend Kazuko (fellow Wycliffe flunkie ♥ ) said, "Eh, I'm going to this meeting or something Friday for Japanese missionaries and revival stuff..." and then I really really wanted to go.
I had work and arrived late, however just in time to hear the climax of the presentation (not the main speaker from Israel actually, it was Nakagawa-sensei's fairly brief conclusion comments) and most important final 30 minutes. That actually is a perfect mirror to how I ended up in Japan this time, isn't it? Rev. Inoue invited me to come to Japan as a missionary and teach at SG. But I said, nah, I'm not going. Then God changed my plans. So here I am. And I arrived one month before Japan faced some of the most challenging times in the recorded history of the nation... indeed the climax of Japan's unfolding story...
Thursday, March 17, 2011
OSAKA... the next capital of Japan???
Spoke this evening to a missionary who is staying at a youth hostel in Osaka area (we are 500 kilometers south of Tokyo). She said now there are many foreigners from Tokyo staying there. They are waiting to see what the resolution of the nuclear situation will be before they decide to leave the country entirely or not.
Many of them are French nationals as I hear the French news has really been emphasizing the nuclear crisis. From other news reports, I understand that the range of problems afflicting the Tokyo region (blackouts, reduced trains and buses to conservere energy and gas) has also led companies, non-profit groups, and foreign embassies to shift their operations to Osaka.
I read the Austrian government relocated all of their staff to Osaka.
Well... so far I don't think anyone is saying this yet. . . but I will go ahead and state the obvious.
OSAKA COULD SOON BECOME THE NEXT CAPITAL CITY OF JAPAN IF THINGS DETERIORATE ANY FURTHER IN TOKYO.
In such a short amount of time... let's continue to pray that the genius engineers of Japan will soon find a way to prevent a total meltdown at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant and that the winds will blow the radiation out to sea where it can dissapate hopefully with as minimal effect as possible on living creatures and the Earth we all share. Dear God, please give the nation of Japan mercy at this time.
Many of them are French nationals as I hear the French news has really been emphasizing the nuclear crisis. From other news reports, I understand that the range of problems afflicting the Tokyo region (blackouts, reduced trains and buses to conservere energy and gas) has also led companies, non-profit groups, and foreign embassies to shift their operations to Osaka.
I read the Austrian government relocated all of their staff to Osaka.
Well... so far I don't think anyone is saying this yet. . . but I will go ahead and state the obvious.
OSAKA COULD SOON BECOME THE NEXT CAPITAL CITY OF JAPAN IF THINGS DETERIORATE ANY FURTHER IN TOKYO.
In such a short amount of time... let's continue to pray that the genius engineers of Japan will soon find a way to prevent a total meltdown at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant and that the winds will blow the radiation out to sea where it can dissapate hopefully with as minimal effect as possible on living creatures and the Earth we all share. Dear God, please give the nation of Japan mercy at this time.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
URGENT PRAYER UPDATE FOR JAPAN!!!
As we are all continuing to pray for Japan... in Fukushima, Japan there is a nuclear power plant (Fukushima Dai-ichi complex) only 170 miles away from the capital city of Tokyo which is close to meltdown as a result of the recent earthquake. Right now it is leaking radiation and there have been several explosions and fires. 50 workers (heroes, truly) have been working there to do what they can to control the damage of the situation. Today they were ordered to return home as the radiation levels had risen so high that it was deadly. However, radiation levels dropped enough for them to return to work. Still, they are risking their lives at this point to save others.
WE MUST PRAY for these nuclear plant workers. Lord, give them divine wisdom to prevent a tragedy! Protect them from radiation. Comfort their families. Provide a strong wind to take the radiation away from homes and towards the sea. Right now it seems the people living in the Tokyo region are panicking. Heavenly Father, ease their fears because if this grows feeling grows any further, people will be trampled as they seek to buy supplies.
PRAY ON, PRAYER WARRIORS~!!!
WE MUST PRAY for these nuclear plant workers. Lord, give them divine wisdom to prevent a tragedy! Protect them from radiation. Comfort their families. Provide a strong wind to take the radiation away from homes and towards the sea. Right now it seems the people living in the Tokyo region are panicking. Heavenly Father, ease their fears because if this grows feeling grows any further, people will be trampled as they seek to buy supplies.
PRAY ON, PRAYER WARRIORS~!!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
PRAYER UPDATE FROM JAPAN
Dear internet friendlies~!
Please forgive me for not updating here in a while. Yes, I am living in Japan where we had the earthquake. I am fine and further south in Osaka region, which is not affected by the events. However, I can hear the local news and I am seeking to marshal more prayer worldwide about situations here that definitely need prayer~!!! I have a couple of different blogs and forgot to update this one when I updated another one. Here is the information I posted about recent events so far, with more updates to come soon:
Saturday, March 12, 2011
I PROCLAIM A 3 DAY FAST TO PRAY FOR JAPAN
Japan was hit yesterday with the worst earthquake in its recorded history (8.9 on the Richter scale), which has resulted in about 1,300 people either dead or missing and many uncountable numbers of people are camped out somewhere, unable to return home.
I ASK FOR A THREE DAY WORLDWIDE TIME OF FASTING AND PRAYER for the national destiny of the land of Japan for everyone who is 1) Christian 2) somebody who prays and 3) somebody who cares! If these three things apply to you, then please join me in a three day fast (that means no food and extra time spent in prayer).
It is no accident that God sent me to Japan and I am here when a historical natural disaster occurs. When I woke up this morning, I thought of the Book of Esther, chapter 4, when Esther's Uncle Mordecai tells her, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
I am here for a purpose... right now to ask for prayer. This is a critical time... a tipping point in this nation's unfolding history.
If you are not sure what you should pray about, please see my previous post from yesterday.
Just one addition: Japan needs to develop a solution as soon as possible to the problem of the HIKKI KOMORI(ひきこもり or 引き籠もり 'people who suffer from extreme social withdrawal')- at this time, about 10% of the population of kids who should be in school are skipping all classes to stay at home for various reasons- often unfortunately due to the relentless bullying they experience from other students.
Personally, I think that if schools in Japan could grow philosophically to be more like a 'warm family unit' instead of mainly a place where students are encouraged to compete with others in a life or death type struggle to be the best in academic studies, then other students would naturally want to take care of and help their classmates who may fall behind (or be different than others).
What is currently missing from Japanese schools?
A sense of God's love!!!
I myself am also praying for an extra helping of blessings to all who are able to help in this current push to help Japan.
P.S. Xanga- I know it seems you guys don't really care to promote blogs which mention Bible verses and prayer, however could you for once promote this page just this once for the benefit of the people in this country here?
P.P.S. I am planning to give a more general post about my big move to Japan tommorrow. Sorry, postponing that again.
**FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011**
PRAY PRAY PRAY~!!!
Hey y'all internet friendlies...
I have successfully moved from Michigan to Osaka, Japan and have worked for about a month here as a missionary teaching English in a Christian mission school. I plan to blog about this adventure in my life tommorrow.
FIRST THINGS FIRST THOUGH. Let's talk about others and not me. WE before ME.
Japan had a massive earthquake in northern regions today. So far about 40 people are dead, more missing.
Please pray for Japan! Pray for HEALING and COMFORT for those affected by this massive earthquake. Even people who are fine physically may be very concerned about loved ones in the affected regions and it is difficult to make phone calls now.
Pray that people who have suffered a loss will walk closer with the Lord as a result. There are many lonely people and very few people who know the Lord here. Japan has the highest rate of suicide among women in the world... second highest rate of suicide among men in the world as well. JESUS HAVE MERCY.
Please join me in praying for REVIVAL in Japan and RENAISSANCE at every school which was founded by Christians. We don't have many Christian teachers here so even in Christian schools very often the children do not experience God's love (makes my heart hurt)!!! Please pray that God will raise up more teachers among Christians here and also send more here from abroad! We need all of them we can get!!!
There are three important parts to the Revival in Japan which must happen: 1) each individual believer should be strengthened 2) church members need to get along better 3) the Japanese church needs a global vision. Through the Holy Spirit, I truly believe God is revealing that this a very crucial time for Japan's destiny as a nation: as the land endures an economic crisis and must also face a natural disaster, this is also a God-given opportunity for change. Will it be for the better or for the worse?
I pray that the precious people in Japan that God loves will rise to create a better Japan out of the ashes of this one. Japan- Remember KAIZEN. EXCELSIOR! FIGHTING!
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
People around the world are praying for you my friends.
Even me, this little unimportant Ugly Duckling.
Deo volente~!!!
Please forgive me for not updating here in a while. Yes, I am living in Japan where we had the earthquake. I am fine and further south in Osaka region, which is not affected by the events. However, I can hear the local news and I am seeking to marshal more prayer worldwide about situations here that definitely need prayer~!!! I have a couple of different blogs and forgot to update this one when I updated another one. Here is the information I posted about recent events so far, with more updates to come soon:
Saturday, March 12, 2011
I PROCLAIM A 3 DAY FAST TO PRAY FOR JAPAN
Japan was hit yesterday with the worst earthquake in its recorded history (8.9 on the Richter scale), which has resulted in about 1,300 people either dead or missing and many uncountable numbers of people are camped out somewhere, unable to return home.
I ASK FOR A THREE DAY WORLDWIDE TIME OF FASTING AND PRAYER for the national destiny of the land of Japan for everyone who is 1) Christian 2) somebody who prays and 3) somebody who cares! If these three things apply to you, then please join me in a three day fast (that means no food and extra time spent in prayer).
It is no accident that God sent me to Japan and I am here when a historical natural disaster occurs. When I woke up this morning, I thought of the Book of Esther, chapter 4, when Esther's Uncle Mordecai tells her, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
I am here for a purpose... right now to ask for prayer. This is a critical time... a tipping point in this nation's unfolding history.
If you are not sure what you should pray about, please see my previous post from yesterday.
Just one addition: Japan needs to develop a solution as soon as possible to the problem of the HIKKI KOMORI(ひきこもり or 引き籠もり 'people who suffer from extreme social withdrawal')- at this time, about 10% of the population of kids who should be in school are skipping all classes to stay at home for various reasons- often unfortunately due to the relentless bullying they experience from other students.
Personally, I think that if schools in Japan could grow philosophically to be more like a 'warm family unit' instead of mainly a place where students are encouraged to compete with others in a life or death type struggle to be the best in academic studies, then other students would naturally want to take care of and help their classmates who may fall behind (or be different than others).
What is currently missing from Japanese schools?
A sense of God's love!!!
I myself am also praying for an extra helping of blessings to all who are able to help in this current push to help Japan.
P.S. Xanga- I know it seems you guys don't really care to promote blogs which mention Bible verses and prayer, however could you for once promote this page just this once for the benefit of the people in this country here?
P.P.S. I am planning to give a more general post about my big move to Japan tommorrow. Sorry, postponing that again.
**FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011**
PRAY PRAY PRAY~!!!
Hey y'all internet friendlies...
I have successfully moved from Michigan to Osaka, Japan and have worked for about a month here as a missionary teaching English in a Christian mission school. I plan to blog about this adventure in my life tommorrow.
FIRST THINGS FIRST THOUGH. Let's talk about others and not me. WE before ME.
Japan had a massive earthquake in northern regions today. So far about 40 people are dead, more missing.
Please pray for Japan! Pray for HEALING and COMFORT for those affected by this massive earthquake. Even people who are fine physically may be very concerned about loved ones in the affected regions and it is difficult to make phone calls now.
Pray that people who have suffered a loss will walk closer with the Lord as a result. There are many lonely people and very few people who know the Lord here. Japan has the highest rate of suicide among women in the world... second highest rate of suicide among men in the world as well. JESUS HAVE MERCY.
Please join me in praying for REVIVAL in Japan and RENAISSANCE at every school which was founded by Christians. We don't have many Christian teachers here so even in Christian schools very often the children do not experience God's love (makes my heart hurt)!!! Please pray that God will raise up more teachers among Christians here and also send more here from abroad! We need all of them we can get!!!
There are three important parts to the Revival in Japan which must happen: 1) each individual believer should be strengthened 2) church members need to get along better 3) the Japanese church needs a global vision. Through the Holy Spirit, I truly believe God is revealing that this a very crucial time for Japan's destiny as a nation: as the land endures an economic crisis and must also face a natural disaster, this is also a God-given opportunity for change. Will it be for the better or for the worse?
I pray that the precious people in Japan that God loves will rise to create a better Japan out of the ashes of this one. Japan- Remember KAIZEN. EXCELSIOR! FIGHTING!
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
People around the world are praying for you my friends.
Even me, this little unimportant Ugly Duckling.
Deo volente~!!!
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